Here are some good and bad points on our Ford Focus.
My ford focus has almost 40 k on it. It does not have any MFT or an auto transmission. I have MFT in our edge which has served us well but I wanted to keep this car “simple”
As per this link:
http://www.autos.ca/forum/index.php/topic,82711.0.htmlThe bad
1) Engine has no low end torque. Below 2000 rpm it has no torque.
2) Interior sport (cloth) seats feel great. Keep you planted but look like crap. The grey insert show stains and dirt . (passenger seat) If ford made the seat totally black it would be better. I saw a focus with the same trim as mine same color with a sunroof and leather and it looked really, really nice. (1400 option I believe)
3) The dash lay out looks busy but it is not that bad. The screen in the dash is nice the screen in the centre consul screen is crap. (again no MFT)
4) Rear seat is tight. If you test drive a focus, adjust the front seat to where you are comfortable and then sit in the back seat.
This is a make it, or break it item. I really had no issue because I adjust the front seat quite close. If you like your space the rear passenger will be breathing down your neck. (I am 6’ 190lbs for reference) The rear seat is odd though. The author is saying that he put 3 booster seats in the back but if I had 3 kids (I have 2) in the back seat I would not even consider the segment. I had 2 kids in the backseat (with boosters) and I have actually sat between then and to my amazement I was comfortable. Now I could not take a long trip but I could do it for a 1 hr. or so which is pretty good. Again I don’t have a sunroof which most likely gives some more headroom.
5) Stock stereo sucks because the speakers are really cheap (paper material). Replaced then with some aftermarket speakers and really cleared up the sound ($80 Total).
6) The 5 speed transmission is pretty rock solid but like toolatecrew said it would be nice to have another gear. I would like to have a lower first gear ratio too. Once I was stuck in traffic on a long hill I was on the clutch the whole time and fried it a little. Being stuck in traffic on a flat road is ok but being stuck in traffic on a hill sucks. The 5th gear is good when you are on the highway on cruise with 2 adults. 2 kids and stuff and I do not have to down shift at all but it would still be nice to have a more economical gear. (This is on the hilly 103 Outside of HFX. in NS) The 2700 – 3000 rpm mark is a good spot for this engine. There is some engine drone on the highway especially on the downhill as the engine is braking.
7) Had one dealer visit and it was computer issue. Replaced it and it was fixed. Ford service was great.
8 ) Sport tires on the Sport package do not last long I think I will only get maybe 30000 km on then. Great handling tire but bad wear characteristics. Sport rims are really heavy also but look nice.
9) Dash is great for the diver but not so for the passenger. The dash depth is huge. It impedes on leg space. Try to clean the thing, it takes a long arm.
10) Next time you look at a focus look at the muffler tip. Not a big item to some but to me it looks like someone cut it off with a hacksaw. This really cheapens the sporty looks of the car. I know other cars have the same hidden exhaust tips but for me this really looks real cheap.
11) I have no issues with the hatch or trunk space. But I would curse that Sony base speaker in the trunk if I had it.
12) They are everywhere.
The Good
1) Car has a sporty soul (not fast but sporty). Not too many cars have it anymore. I know the Mazda 3 does (with a 6 speed) and a civic does to a certain extent. It is hard to find a cheap practical car, with good fuel economy and a sporty soul. The focus is a perfect example of a driving a slow car fast, within the boundaries of the speed limit. (10 to 15 km above the posted limit) the car is truly fun. Take it beyond that you realize you are driving an underpowered economy car.
2) The engine sucks under 2000rpm but from 3500 to 5000 it really sings. (Revs nicely to 7000rpm) The engine is underrated even though it does not feel like it. It has been dynode at 148 hp at the wheels stock (5speed) so it is roughly almost 170hp. Intake, exhaust and tune opens this car up a little but you are looking at 2 grand to do it. If you want to spend more than $3000 to 5000 in mods you might as well get a ST imo.
3) Get 6.5 in summer 7.5 in winter and that is pretty awesome because I drive it on the sporty side and not eco side.
4) Find the side mirrors on the focus are excellent. I use they thing every 20 sec and love them, especially coming off on ramps and when people are coming on to the highway. Excellent excellant mirrors.
5) Driving position for me is excellent. The Arm rest is in a perfect position. Dash controls within perfect reach
6) Car looks pretty good. Has a clean side profile which I like. Taillights are a little weird.
Edit: I know I have posted more bad points than good but the good points especially #1 far out weighs the all bad ones. I look forward to driving it in my every day boring work drive.
I think all major sellers in this segment are great. Cruze, Civic, Corolla, Mazda 3, Forte & Elantra all are smart buys, but to buy any of them without an incentive you have to be nuts. For instance if you did not get over 3500 incentives on that 28k focus I would just walk away period. Based on list price the ford is not a value proposition but with incentive well who knows and that goes with any car in this segment.
My point of view after a yr.